For Degree Program Administrators:

Search Tips

For more precise search results when searching for an institution, try using a key term from the institution's name (e.g. Missouri when looking for the University of Missouri) or writing the entire name of the institution in quotation marks (e.g. "University of Missouri").

PROGRAM PURPOSE Within the larger purpose of Johnson University, the objective of the Graduate Counseling Program is to provide professional therapy education for individuals intending to serve in social service settings such as community mental health agencies, child and family service centers, K-12 school systems, local congregations, as well as in a private practice setting. The education received also prepares students to pursue doctoral education.

The Department of Behavioral Sciences and Family Studies seeks to assist students in understanding human behavior and criminal behavior, child development, family relations and societal and cultural changes. In addition, the Department seeks to prepare students with intellectual and vocational skills to function in a variety of professional service occupations.

The Department of Child and Family Studies prepares students at the undergraduate and graduate levels to become competent professionals and effective family members. Our primary areas of emphasis focus on children, youth, families, and early learning in diverse contexts. A central foundation for our programs is the idea that scientific inquiry provides the most effective means to improve the welfare of children, youth, and families.A notable feature of both our undergraduate and graduate programs is the opportunity for outreach and engagement experiences in area communities. Students complete intensive semester-long experiences in a wide range of community placements including mental health, medical facilities, public and private schools, and intervention programs. Students also have the opportunity to join a research team of faculty and students.

The Child Development and Family Relations program teaches students to examine individuals and families in the environments in which they live, work and play.Stages of individual and family development and the relationships people form throughout their lives are also prominent aspects of the program. Students can choose between two options: CDFR or Child Life

Students in the MMFC/T program start with an assigned group or cycle of students. New cycles begin in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The objectives of the MMFC/T program are to enhance professional knowledge in the area of marriage and family therapy, enhance therapeutic skills through classroom and practical experience, integrate faith and learning in the life and thought of students, and enable students to meet the academic requirements for Tennessee state licensure. The PhD Clinical Counseling: Teaching and Supervision program serves to train counselor educators and supervisors and serves to enhance therapeutic skills in counseling or marriage and family therapy.

The Child Development and Family Studies program prepares students to work with individuals and families in a variety of settings. In their classes, students examine human growth and development over the lifespan and family dynamics from a holistic perspective. This includes all aspects of development from conception through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age as well as family focused coursework on parenting, intergenerational relationships, families and work, violence, and other challenges affecting families in a rapidly changing society. An important part of this program is the emphasis on experiential learning (EXL). Students take several classes that allow them to engage in activities with a variety of populations. These field placements, internships and service learning courses provide students with opportunities to use the information they learn in classes to assist individuals and families in our communities. It is through one of these classes that the CDFS program and, hence MTSU, has become affiliated with Universities Fighting World Hunger, an initiative of the World Food Programme and the U.N. This is an intergenerational, lifespan development program with an emphasis on hands-on learning and a commitment to addressing both global and local issues facing families today. As a result of our hands-on emphasis, CDFS students can graduate as "Experiential Learning (EXL) Scholars".

The mission of the Department is to provide students with a broad background in the study of society and human relationships from a Christian perspective, to enable them to enter graduate programs or entry level positions in their respective discipline. The Family Studies major focuses on the development of the individual in the context of family and society. The program is designed to prepare students for (a) professional careers in a variety of human service areas; (b) leadership roles in church, school, and community; (c) personal roles in family living; and (d) graduate education

The M.MFT in Marriage & Family Therapy offers a 60-hour curriculum designed to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a Marriage & Family Therapist in Tennessee. This credential allows students to provide Marriage and Family Therapy services to individuals, couples, and families in a variety of settings in the community such as mental health centers, private practices, churches, and parachurch organizations. For a detailed description of the LMFT guidelines in Tennessee. Our program's emphasis on faith integration would be especially helpful for those who wish to practice in faith-related settings (although students are not limited to only these settings). Students have the opportunity to receive a specialization in Play Therapy. The Marriage and Family Therapy students do their internship at the Lipscomb Family Therapy Center which is located on Lipscomb's main campus. The house provides therapy to the community while also providing a training ground for graduate students.

The M.MFT in Marriage and Family therapy is a 60 hour, 24 month program structured in a cohort model which requires all the coursework and practice necessary for students seeking MFT licensure. Students in this program attend full-time, year-round and take courses on Tuesday evenings at our new off-site location in Cool Springs. Students will complete 500 hours of supervised clinical work in addition to their coursework.

The undergraduate Family Science major has a concentration in Family Relations. This concentration provides a background in child development and family studies. It provides the study of families across the family life cycle, from infant development through families in later adulthood, or aging. Students can find careers in a variety of child and family service settings, advocacy and political action, education, government and international services. This program also serves as a strong preparation for graduate school, leading to professional roles in marital and family counseling, child development, family advocacy, agency leadership, aging services, higher education and business. The program emphasizes the prevention of family problems through education and intervention. Students will be guided to "land" in one area of interest: Children, adolescence, emerging adulthood, mid-life, or aging.

Many students are interested in careers as certified Child Life Specialists. Students with such interests should follow the general Family Relations curriculum, but also take the emphasis for Child Life Specialists. The curriculum is designed to adhere to guidelines established by the National Council on Family Relations, as well as the recommendations from the Child Life Council.

The Department of Social Work and Family Studies offers a degree in Social Work (accredited by the Council on Social Work Education) and in Family Studies. Minors are also available in Behavioral Science, Family Studies, and Sociology.

Areas of Study

Family Science/Studies - Undergraduate

Last Updated

September 5, 2013

The discipline of Family Science is vibrant and growing. Visit Family.Science to learn more.